Henry (Hank) Peter Martini, named for Enrico Caruso by his opera-loving parents, was born Jan. 13, 1923 in Staten Island, N.Y.

As a boy he played the trumpet in the S.I. Boys Marching Band, performing for saints’ feast days and parades. He served his country in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Hanksville and Green River, Utah, later in the South Pacific during World War II, and finally in the 101st Cavalry of the S.I. National Guard.

On Sept. 19, 1953, Hank married Mary Alice Buck (deceased). They were together for 47 years and had three children: Alice Mary, Peter Henry and Susan Dorothy.

Though he spent much of his time as a concrete contractor and was proud to have worked on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, his interests ranged from woodworking to baking extravagant cakes (he was famous for his cheesecake) for friends and family. He was an active member of Olivet Presbyterian Church.

After retirement, Hank and family moved permanently to their summer cabin on Lake Waccabuc in South Salem, N.Y. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, building birdhouses, and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was known far and wide as a prankster, always ready with a joke or a story.

In his later years Hank made numerous trips to Utah to visit Alice and build furniture for her home there, making many friends in Castle Valley and Moab. Hank was a hard worker and a happy man; joking was his way of communicating with the world. He valued people and relationships above things, always claiming his family as his wealth.

Hank died at home on Jan. 23, 2014, having just celebrated his 91st birthday. He is remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; someone who was always willing to help a friend.

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